Scaër, a small commune in Brittany with a population of about 5,000, has been nicknamed “Scaër the Merry” (Scaër la Joyeuse) for its spectacular carnival, which was inaugurated more than a century ago. The first Scaër Carnival was a horse-drawn float parade held as part of the Mid-Lent celebration on March 11, 1923.
The Scaër Mid-Lent Festival went on hiatus from 1939 to 1945 due to World War II but resumed once the war ended and the commune began to recover. In 1953, the festival was moved to the Pentecost weekend. Soon, horse-drawn floats were replaced by huge mechanized floats drawn by trucks or tractors. By the mid-1960s, the festival attracted tens of thousands of spectators.
In 1971, the event was renamed the Cavalcade of Scaër, the name it would bear for the next four decades. Around that time, the festival switched from an annual to a biennial event. After its 2019 edition, the carnival went on another hiatus due to the COVD-19 pandemic. Once the pandemic ended, the organizing committee changed the event’s name to Carnival in the West to celebrate its centenary and rejuvenate its image. The event returned under its new name in 2023.
The Carnival in the West is organized by a volunteer committee led by a president. The main sources of funding are ticket and beverage sales at refreshment stands. Other sources include advertising, partnerships, merchandise sales, and grants. The impressive floats that participate in the parade are constructed by approximately 1,500 volunteers who begin designing and assembling them two to six months before the event. Since there is no theme, carnival groups can choose any subject for their floats. However, political subjects are banned.
Two float parades are held during the Carnival in the West: one on Sunday and one on Monday. In addition to twenty elaborately decorated floats, the parades feature marching bands and musical groups. After the parades, the town hall square offers additional entertainment, including live music performances and DJ sets. There is also a public vote to choose the best parade float. Before the most recent rebranding, the winner was chosen by a special jury.
As mentioned earlier, admission to the Carnival is paid, and the proceeds are used to finance the event. As of 2025, base rates range from €12.00 to €14.00, and presale and reduced rates range from €10.00 to €12.00. Those who qualify for reduced rates include teenagers aged 12 to 16, students, individuals with disability cards, officially unemployed individuals, and groups of 20 or more people. Children under 12 can attend the carnival for free.
The Carnival in the West offers a unique blend of tradition, creativity, and community spirit, making it a must-visit event for anyone interested in experiencing Brittany’s rich culture.
Photo: carnavalalouest.bzh
